Meet Sarah Mensah, the first-ever Black female President of Nike's Air Jordan brand, which generated $5.1 billion in revenue in 2022 alone. In fact, she is the first woman of any race to ever hold the prestigious position. This comes nearly two years after she made history as the first Black woman to lead Nike's North American business.
Since joining Nike in 2013, Sarah has proven her leadership skills, strategic expertise, and dedication to excellence. As the senior director of strategic planning, she played a crucial role in developing a 10-year plan for the Jordan Brand. Her strategic vision has led to the brand's expansion into various markets featuring famous athletes in different fields.Prior to her appointment as president, she held other significant positions within the company. She served as both vice president and general manager of Nike's North American business, becoming the first Black woman to do so.
"It's important to me personally and to our athletes, our employees, our consumers. We talk a lot about listening to them, and the best way to listen is to reflect them," Sarah said, according to Footwear News. "I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility because Nike means so much to the Black community. To be the first Black woman leading this geography is an incredible mandate."
Prior to joining Nike in 2013, Sarah worked for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers for 19 years, holding senior roles, such as chief operating officer. She is a proud alumnus of the University of Oregon.